It is the return of the Philadelphia Comic-Con on Sunday April 29th. This comic book convention is held at the Ramada Philadelphia Airport located at 76 Industrial Highway (Route 291) in Essington, PA 19029. The hotel is conveniently located between exits 8 and 9A off of I-95. It is also close to I-76, I-476 and most bridges from New Jersey. Show hours are 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is only $3 per person. Students of any age are admitted free with a current id. Parking is also free on premises. For those of you that do not drive Septa Bus Route 37 stops directly in front of the hotel.

It is quite a site to behold with 60+ tables at the show in the 4,500 square foot ballroom of the hotel. Dealers from 6 states setup there selling, buying and even trading with collectors. Thousands and thousands of comic books from the 1940’s to present day will be for sale at the show. Also available will be collecting supplies, graphic novels, action figures, statues, non-sportcards, dvd’s and original artwork. The show has become a fan favorite for years with people travelling up to 3 hours one way just to shop at the show.

Special guests this show are Paris Cullins and Fernando Ruiz. Paris is a veteran artist who has worked for DC Comics for many years on such titles as Green Lantern, Blue Beetle, The New Gods and many more comics. Fernando Ruiz works for Archie Comics covering most titles that they publish including Life With Archie.

Groundbreaking Artist To Be Guest Of Honor at 20th Anniversary Clifton, NJ Comic Book Expo

The guest of honor at the November 13th Clifton NJ Comic Book Expo 20th anniversary event will be Archie Comics’ artist Fernando Ruiz. For more than a decade, Mr. Ruiz has been a top artist for the most positive and family-friendly of all comic book publishers. Just over a year ago, Archie Comics introduced their first gay character, Kevin Keller. He has quickly risen to become second in popularity among fans to only Archie himself! Come January, Mr. Ruiz will be the artist of one of the most groundbreaking comics stories published in the entire history of the medium… Life With Archie #16 will feature the marriage of Kevin Keller, the first gay marriage ever featured in any mainstream comic book! Mr. Ruiz will be available for free autographs throughout the day. He will also drawing commissioned sketches as time allows.

Archie’s top artists Dan Parent (KEVIN KELLER), Patrick “Spaz” Spaziante (SONIC, MEGA MAN) and FernandoRuiz (ARCHIE) will be on hand to sign comics and do free sketches with the purchase of any Archie comic!

NEW YORK, May 9, 2011 – Wizard World Big Apple Comic Con today announced its diverse programming schedule, featuring unique celebrity Q&A’s, music, screenings, artist schools and more for the event, set for Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22 at Penn Plaza Pavilion.

Some of the highlights include:

A trio of events with “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” star James Marsters, including a Q&A, cocktail reception and Shakespeare seminar

“Harry Potter” discussion with Tom Felton, who portrayed “Draco Malfoy” in the hugely successful film series

The popular adult costume contest and fun kids costume contest with great prizes

Unless noted, Big Apple Comic Con programming will take place in the panel room at Penn Plaza Pavilion, and is included with admission to the event. Seating for panels is strictly limited and available on a first come first serve basis and each room will be cleared between panels. The full schedule is available at http://www.wizardworld.com/programming-nyc.html and listed below:

Saturday

11:00-11:45AM
Comic Book Club Panel

12:00-12:45AM
Digital Art School With Greg Horn
Superstar Marvel and DC artist Greg Horn (“Blackest Night”) leads a discussion on digital art and takes you through his creative process.

2:00-2:45PM
James Marsters Q&A
Best known for his role as Spike, the platinum blonde vampire on hit shows “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel,” James Marsters answers questions about everything from his evolution from acting to music and back, and the projects he plans to conquer in the next few years.

3:00-3:45PM
Moca Panel

4:00-4:45PM
Tom Felton Q&A
Best known for his portrayal of “Draco Malfoy,” the villain and arch-nemesis of Harry Potter in the series of blockbuster films, Tom Felton makes a rare appearance at Big Apple Comic Con for a special Q&A session to answer all of your fan questions.

5:00-5:45PM
Morena Baccarin Q&A
Whether you know her as Inara Serra in “Firefly,” Adria in “Stargate SG-1,” or Anna in the newest remake of “V,” Morena Baccarin is undoubtedly one of the female superstars of sci-fi. Join her for a special Q&A session with fans, as she answers all of your questions and shares her thoughts on the future of sci-fi television.

6:00-8:00PM
Wizard World Adult Costume Contest
Get your best costume together and come on down to Wizard World’s Big Apple Comic Con costume contest for fun prizes and some of the craziest outfits you’ll see this weekend.

7:00-9:00PM
Wizard World Drink & Draw
Wizard World’s original Drink & Draw is back! Join some of your favorite comic artists for a fun-filled night as they drink and draw for a cause. (Jack Demsey’s @ 36 West 33rd St. between 5th & 6th Ave.)

7:30-9:30PM
Cocktail Reception With James Marsters
Be one of 85 lucky guests to mingle with James Marsters and enjoy small group and one-on-one conversations in a private setting. James will rotate around the room throughout the two hour cocktail reception. Event is held exclusively for James Marsters Saturday VIP Ticket Holders. Photography will be allowed. (Location TBD)

Sunday

10:00AM-12:00PM
Bard Seminar With James Marsters
James Marsters will conduct a seminar on one of his favorite subjects – Shakespeare. He will perform some of Shakespeare’s sonnets and discuss his interpretations. This will be an open forum where the audience may also ask questions and share their thoughts. Event is held exclusively for James Marsters Sunday VIP Ticket Holders. (Location TBD)

12:00-1:00PM
Special Presentation: Stan Lee, Neal Adams And Disney Take On The Holocaust
Comic book legends Stan Lee and Neal Adams have teamed up with Disney Educational Productions and Holocaust historian Dr. Rafael Medoff to create “They Spoke Out: American Voices of Protest Against the Holocaust,” a series of motion comics that are changing the way the Holocaust is taught in the United States. Dr. Medoff and Neal Adams will present the first episode of this remarkable new series, narrated by Lee and illustrated by Adams. “Messenger from Hell” tells the amazing story of a Polish courier who smuggled himself into a Nazi death camp, and then made his way to the U.S. to alert Americans about the genocide.

1:00-1:45PM
Wizard World Kids Costume Contest
Bring kids 10 and under for this special event with fun prizes just for families and the youngsters.

2:00-2:45PM
Chandler Riggs Q&A With “Walking Dead” Behind-The-Scenes Footage
AMC’s ambitious horror series, based on Robert Kirkman’s ultra-hot zombie series from Image, now comes to life from director Frank Darabont (“The Green Mile”)! Check out amazing behind-the-scenes footage and extended clips along with a Q&A with star Chandler Riggs.

4:00-4:45PM
How To Make A Comic From Script To Print
The Kubert School presents “How to Make a Comic From Script to Print.” Archie Comics artist and Kubert School instructor, Fernando Ruiz, walks you through the process of making a comic – from story, to pencils, inks, colors and then finally lettering – this a great introduction to all the different disciplines that go into creating a comic.

The Penn Plaza Pavilion is located at 401 Seventh Avenue at 33rd St., in the historic Hotel Pennsylvania. Big Apple Comic Con Spring Edition is the fifth stop on Wizard World’s 13-city 2011 North American tour. Hours are Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, May 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/newyorkcity.html at up to a 15% savings over tickets purchased at the door. Advance adult single-day tickets are $20; two-day weekend tickets are $35, and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult). VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World is a producer of pop culture and multimedia conventions across North America that markets movies, TV shows, video games, technology, toys, social networking/gaming platforms, comic books and graphic novels. It has the rights to the names, marks, domains, customer lists and production rights for a portfolio of pop culture and multimedia conventions.

For the most recent event information please visit www.wizardworld.com and become a Big Apple Comic Con Fan on Facebook.

Fernando Ruiz signs on Saturday July 10th from 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Dewey’s Comic City 13 Park Avenue in Madison, NJ. The artist will be sketching and signing copies of his latest work, the first issue of the MAN FROM R.I.V.E.R.D.A.L.E. series that begins in Archie Comics #610. Copies will be available at the signing.

Something For Every Comic Book Taste Will Be In North Jersey on June 19

More than 50 well known comic creators, toy and pop culture dealers will gather with fans at the Riverdale Armory on Saturday, June 19th for a day of dealing in comics, toys, pop culture collectibles, related DVD’s, costume play, food and fun. Special guest Gary Sohmers, the popular appraiser of toys, collectibles and memorabilia on the PBS TV series “Antiques Road Show” and host and producer of the radio show “Calling All Collectors” will offer free appraisals of comics, toys and pop culture related items during the expo.

“This is not a mega-expo,” says promoter Tom Jeron, “but rather more of a community event with a real big punch. We’ve been able to bring together a vast array of comic creators, toy designers and dealers who are interested in a chance to see their fans in a less intense venue than are otherwise available in the Metro area. The NJ Comic Expo caters to a broad range of pop culture interests and ages. We have an ongoing superhero and sci-fi fantasy costume contest with prizes hosted by Cosplay Confederates, photo opportunities with TV’s Batmobile, The Black Beauty, a working Lost in Space Robot and a local area Dark Knight style Batman with his own custom Batmobile.”

Comic creators who will be attending throughout the day include Denny O’Neil, Joe Staton, Irwin Hasen, Guy Dorian, Ian Dorian, Rich Mesick, Steve Mannion, Rick Parker, Bob Wiacek, Scott Roberts, Jim Salicrup, Ivan Brandon, Andy MacDonald, and Fernando Ruiz. Toy designers and comic companies on hand include locally based McFarlane Toys and retroprauneurs Captain Action Enterprises. Also appearing is the professional wrestler/actor Brimstone, and Blinky Productions a fan film production favorite. In addition Captain Action Enterprises will be doing artist portfolio reviews in search of new talent. Up and coming artists should be prepared with a portfolio and sketchbooks for review during the show.

The NJ Comic Expo is at the Riverdale Armory, 107 Newark Pompton Turnpike in Riverdale, NJ on June 19th, 2010. Show Hours are from 10am-6pm with an admission fee of $5, children under 3 are free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information go to the shows website at www.njcomicexpo.com or to the shows FaceBook page at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/NJ-Comic-Expo/107521212620293?ref=ts or by email to tomlinpromotions@gmail.com .